Fifth gear and no brakes

Last week I rode Stella for the first time. She came to me last fall as a three year old from Fingerlakes racetrack. No one wanted her, I think, because she spent more time in the air than on the ground in her sales video. Here’s a link to her listing. Her registered name is Jabez: http://fingerlakesfinesttbs.com/jabez-3-year-old-15-3-chestnut-filly/

I planned to take Stella home the day we met. I watched her video, studied her photos, but was unprepared to find her big ankles hiding underneath her stable wraps. As a result, she had the winter off to let her ankles set. Since arriving she's turned into a sweet little filly that loves attention.  

The first time I rode Stella I felt like she was a fast little sports car under saddle, running in fifth gear with no brakes. She wasn't afraid or nervous, but her only knowledge was to go forward, fast, with no brakes. I had more control the next time I rode. She was willing to listen, halt on command, and stand quietly under saddle.

Riding Stella for the first time is much like I’ve been running my life for the past few weeks. I feel like I’ve been running in fifth gear with no brakes – just like her. As someone that runs and manages my own facility, I’ve learned it takes a huge amount of work and volunteer support to pull off clinics and events.

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